I'm thinking their should be some contrast between these two pieces since they're so close to each other, which is why I have my doubts about painting them BOTH gloss black. Thoughts and feedback would be appreciated.

I'm thinking their should be some contrast between these two pieces since they're so close to each other, which is why I have my doubts about painting them BOTH gloss black. Thoughts and feedback would be appreciated.

I'm thinking their should be some contrast between these two pieces since they're so close to each other, which is why I have my doubts about painting them BOTH gloss black. Thoughts and feedback would be appreciated.

-esquire

The Challenge diffuser is going to compliment the carbon roof you have already. IMHO, painting this diffuser gloss black may look a bit busy and compete with the real attraction of this car - the Dakar yellow color.

Keep the satin tips on the Akrapovic exhaust as well. it will provide a contrast from the diffuser as well as a signature look informing everyone that you have the best exhaust on the market today.

Less is more when modding the M3, BMW has already done an excellent job on the exterior.

i'll be doing photos of the inside soon. i'm waiting for the last of my Piano Black trim pieces to arrive from BMW Individual so i can document before and after installation shots.

BMW Individual has been truly amazing to work with. Throughout this process, I've had the opportunity to develop a great relationship with the head of BMW Individual/M for North America and Canada, who was kind enough to invite me up for an exclusive & personal tour of the BMW M/Individual facility in Garching. They actually picked me up from my hotel in Munich in a Frozen Black (!!!) M3 and drove me through 2 hours of snow and traffic to Garching, then spent several hours showing me their facilities ANNNNDDDDD gave me a sneak peak of the 1M and M5 sans camouflage. (This is back in early december before either car had been seen without camo. I believe the M5 has yet to be seen without camo actually). (They made me promise not to take any pics - so I was honor bound). Anyway, it was such an amazing experience. And I truly thank the people there for really humanizing BMW and making me feel like i was working with a group of truly friendly people rather than a huge mega-corporation.

Bad news was that my Competition wheels weren't powdercoated in time for my installation appointment at EAS, which meant I wouldn't be able to see my car with one of its centerpiece visual modifications. Kinda bummed about that, but they said it would be ready next week.

The good news, though, was that after a week of driving anywhere and everywhere for no reason whatsoever, I was able to break my car in AND take it in for its 1200 mile service which meant that... I could beging dropping in some of my performance modifications. Awesome ! So this weekend I dropped in the full titanium Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust system, along with a Challenge Diffuser to round off the look, and Mach Schnell pulley's and intake to round out the performance mods for the day.

Akrapovic Evolution Titanium Exhaust & Challenge Rear Diffuser

First thing I have to say is that the Satin Finish Titanium Akra Exhaust makes the M3 stock exhaust just look tiny and ugly by comparison. Putting aside the obvious aural enhancements, it also shaves off about 50 lbs of weight from the car, adds about 20 ft-lbs of torque, and 25 horsepower. Can't complain about that. I was also a huge fan of the exhaust note which sounds slightly more aggressive when driving the car casually, but roars when you push it. Most importantly though, it has almost no drone, and sounds great from the cabin - not intrusive at all. Here are a few pics :

Unboxing

Akra pieces lined up

Stock M3 exhaust - not too pretty.

Stock Exhaust Removed

This is what our stock exhaust looks like removed

HUGE difference comparing the stock m3 exhaust to the akra evo

Working on the X-pipe

Pipes fully installed

now with mufflers

Challenge rear diffuser fully installed before working on Akra Tips

Steve Adjusting left tips with a fine toothed comb. Thanks Steve !

Adjusting right tips

... AND FINALLY HERE IT IS FULLY INSTALLED

Finished

From the underbelly

Panoramic Underbelly shot. Thanks to Anthony for stitching this together in Photoshop !

BEFORE AND AFTER

Before

After

After

after

After again

... and FINALLY

That's it for guys. Pics of an air intake and pulley install aren't exactly exciting. So just trust me... I did those too.

A huge thanks to Steve and Tom over at EAS. Hope you guys Enjoyed our In N Out session ! (Steve can really put food down !! ) Haha. See you guys next week, for wheels & spacers, new M3 stitched DCT shift boot, keyhole cover, and hopefully the Vorsteiner trunk !!

Congratulation my friend. Amazing car and i love the colour.. Very special. And the exhaust system truly a state of the art.. I had once a m3 e36 evo in dakar yellow and I know how incredible is that color ..... Good and safe miles ..